SBIR-STTR Award

A compact, low-power GN&C system is essential to the success of pico-satellite Automated Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D). Austin Satellite Design (ASD) proposes to deliver a working design of an integrated six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) system for pico-satellites at the conclusion of Phase 1 of this STTR. A six DOF translation and rotation determination and control system will be designed for a pico-satellite form-factor to generate the onboard guidance and control necessary to demonstrate autonomous control stability and perform simple proximity maneuvers. An existing NASA/JSC GPS receiver will be utilized for navigation. Added sensors, such as a magnetometer, will be combined with GPS signals for attitude determination. A thruster actuator concept will be identified and a design produced that satisfies anticipated operational requirements and that fits within the mass and power constraints of the pico-satellite mission. Flight hardware will not be procured until Phase 2; however, component characteristics will be documented and modeled during Phase 1 and GN&C algorithms will be written to include them. Software that can be deployed to embedded systems will be written and validated in simulation. At the conclusion of Phase 1, simulated GN&C will be demonstrated within a pico-satellite form factor using embedded software such that a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 or 4 is achieved.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) The Phase 1 and Phase 2 efforts proposed here will result in enabling technologies for automated rendezvous and docking of pico-satellites including a robust GN&C system and (after Phase 2) a miniaturized, space-qualified communications system useful for inter-satellite crosslink, uplink, and downlink. These may include future Low Earth Orbit formation flying projects such as space weather and environmental monitoring missions.

Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) When combined with related technologies, the GN&C and communications systems that are proposed for Phase 1 and Phase 2 will offer an attractive core system for multiple customers. These will include the US Department of Defense, and the increasing number of cubesat projects that require attitude control and those that will require AR&D in the years ahead. Formation flying experiments and commercial ventures that propose dense satellite clusters as measurement platforms will need stationkeeping and maneuvering capabilities in very small form factors to manage launch vehicle costs. NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
Attitude Determination and Control Guidance, Navigation, and Control Micro Thrusters Telemetry, Tracking and Control

Pico-satellites are an emerging new class of spacecraft. Maneuverable pico-satellites require active guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) systems to perform coordinated tasks such as formation flying and automated rendezvous and docking. A compact, low power GN&C system will be fabricated and tested for use on pico-satellites. The proposed design provides 6 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) translation and rotation control in less than 25% of a 3-Unit CubeSat or 3 DOF rotation only control in less than one half a standard Cubesat volume. During Phase 2, flight components will be procured, integrated, and tested as a single embedded system and delivered as a flight unit for environmental qualification and in-orbit demonstration on a suitable pico-satellite flight opportunity. The technology is expected to reach TRL 6 by the conclusion of Phase 2.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Maneuverable pico-satellites have many

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
. For example, swarms or formations of pico-satellites could provide global real-time space weather monitoring in a way that is presently not possible from a single satellite. Autonomous rendezvous and docking technology could perform on-orbit inspection of a nearby vehicle. The relatively low-cost and rapid access to space of pico-satellites enables lower cost on-orbit testing of new components, allowing quicker and more reliable progression to higher Technology Readiness Levels. Pico-satellite maneuverability and control is a key, often required aspect of mission performance.



Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Non-NASA federal agencies and commercial ventures will benefit from maneuverable pico-satellites. Rapid response communications, imaging, and situational awareness solutions are needed by the Department of Defense, National Reconnaissance Office, and Department of Homeland Security. DARPA's F6 program is an example of a fractionated spacecraft formation application that can be addressed with pico-satellites. Low cost and rapid access to space will also improve the profitable realization of new commercial space applications. Commercial applications such as on-orbit spacecraft servicing and direct to user remote sensing are viable. The mission return will be substantially improved with reliable low-cost pico-satellite maneuverability.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Attitude Determination and Control Autonomous Control and Monitoring Autonomous Reasoning/Artificial Intelligence Guidance, Navigation, and Control Micro Thrusters Mobility Operations Concepts and Requirements Telemetry, Tracking and Control